Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The Infamous Masterson’s , nestled in the bustling area of Moonee Ponds , markets itself as a trendy “hipster” hangout , but my latest trip at this establishment resulted in an experience I’d rather forget . While the bar may present a friendly façade, what I discovered behind its entrance was disturbing and far below any standard .
The State of Affairs: Filthy and Neglected
From the moment I walked in , it was clear that cleanliness was not a priority at this bar . The floorboards were filthy, and a nauseating aroma of stale beer and neglected washrooms suffused the entire bar . Smelling a mixture of urine , a rotting odor and illness . The main bar, which should be the focal point of any pub, was littered with unwashed glassware and trash that looked like it had been ignored for a long time . The lavatory was in even a truly awful state— clogged , with a cracked flush mechanism and surfaces marked in what I can only assume was fecal matter .
It wasn’t just a rare instance either. Going through other patrons’ reviews and chatting with the community, check here it seems that the standard of sanitation (or lack thereof) at this pub is a well-known flaw . Many visitors have reported spotting critters darting across the serving surface and evidence of rodent infestations in the storage spaces . For a business that caters to patrons, these issues are completely unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the safety of their products .
The Owners’ Conduct : Accusations of Misconduct
However, as horrifying as the state of the venue was, what truly made my experience at this place something I’ll never forget for negative reasons—was the behavior of its proprietors . The bar is owned by Pete Cornwell, who also holds a corporate position as a stress-testing executive at Westpac. a great read Unfortunately, his reputation in the professional sphere is tarnished by a disturbing pattern of misconduct in his private dealings and professional settings .
During my time there, I saw how tense several women at the bar seemed around Cornwell. As I asked around, I was stunned to find numerous complaints against him involving sexual harassment , with multiple women alleging that he of distributing inappropriate messages . Described as disturbingly assertive and boundary-crossing , his behavior has created an unsafe environment for women who visit Masterson’s. His presence at the bar often resembled that of a unsettling figure than a welcoming host .
Employee Actions : Complicit or Helpless another post ?
Pete’s wife, Gillian , is a co-operator and frequently seen overseeing the bar . Instead of stepping in to mitigate the damage done by her husband’s actions, she looks like she supports his behavior. Her inaction adds a troubling layer to the already toxic atmosphere at the bar .